THE ORGANIZATION OF RURAL INTERESTS 555 



tion of every true interest of our land, by legitimate transac- 

 tions, legitimate trade and legitimate profits. 



EDUCATION 



We shall advance the cause of education among ourselves, 

 and for our children, by all just means within our power. We 

 especially advocate for our agricultural and industrial colleges 

 that practical agriculture, domestic science and all the arts 

 which adorn the home, be taught in their courses of study. 



THE GRANGE NOT PARTISAN 



5. We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated 

 truth taught in our organic law, that the Grange National, 

 State or Subordinate is not a political or party organization. 

 No Grange, if true to its obligations, can discuss partisan or 

 sectarian questions, nor call political conventions, nor nominate 

 candidates, nor even discuss their merits in its meetings. 



Yet the principles we teach underlie all true politics, all true 

 statesmanship, and, if properly carried out, will tend to purify 

 the whole political atmosphere of our country. For we seek 

 the greatest good to the greatest number. 



We must always bear in mind that no one, by becoming a 

 Patron of Husbandry, gives up that inalienable right and duty 

 which belongs to every American citizen, to take a proper inter- 

 est in the politics of his country. 



On the contrary, it is right for every member to do all in his 

 power legitimately to influence for good the action of any polit- 

 ical party to which he belongs. It is his duty to do all he can to 

 put down bribery, corruption and trickery; to see that none 

 but competent, faithful and honest men, who will unflinchingly 

 stand by our interests, are nominated for all positions of trust ; 

 and to have carried out the principle which should always 

 characterize every Patron that 



THE OFFICE SHOULD SEEK THE MAN, AND NOT THE MAN THE OFFICE. 



We acknowledge the broad principle that difference of opin- 

 ion is no crime,- and hold that "progress toward truth is made 

 by differences of opinion," while "the fault lies in bitterness 

 of controversy." 



